SOUTHWICK – Former Town Planner Marcus Phelps has announced his independent run for an open seat on the Board of Selectmen, and said he has the experience and maturity to bring balance and common sense to the board.

“There’s been a lot of squabbling, and I think I can bring common sense to the board,” he said. “I have a lot of experience working with various interests and finding balance.”

The seat up for election is currently held by board Chairman Arthur G. Pinell who has decided not to seek reelection for another three-year term when town voters head to the polls on May 14.

Also at the top of Phelps’ list for a smoother-run town government is to keep closer tabs on “the fiscal aspect of things.”

In addition to his time as town planner, Phelps also served the town as a member of the Conservation Commission and remains dedicated to issues related to protecting the town’s natural resources and sustaining open space and conservation land while being fiscally responsible.

“We need to be careful of how public money is being used,” he said, and added that is one the select board’s greatest jobs.

“The board needs to look more into how money is being spent and the implications of that.”

Phelps, a fifth generation member of the Phelps family to live in Southwick, retired in 2004 from a 33-year career with the USDA Forest Service and worked on assignments as a forester, environmental coordinator, technology transfer specialist, budget coordinator, forest resource planner and urban forestry program manager.